ArcGIS - The program we trained on at the summer academy! It is a combination of Google Earth and Excel.
Google Earth: Originally developed by Keyhole, this program presents the world in 3D. Uses projects with the extension .kml or .kmz to display data, images, and other dynamic content. It requires an Internet connection.
ArcGIS Explorer: It is a combination of Google Earth and Powerpoint. It does most of the things that Google Earth does with the added bonus of doing it in a presentation. It requires an Internet connection.
ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE): This is a bare bones GIS program that allows for the display and analysis of GIS data. This program will run on PC and MAC computers. It does not require an Internet connection.
DNRGarmin: This program allows for the transfer of GPS data from Garmin GPS units into a number of formats. It will create Shapefiles and kml files.
Garmin Trip and Waypoint Manager: This is the CD that comes with our Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS units. It needs to be installed on each computer that you want to upload GPS data to, even if you are not using this program.
Programs
ArcGIS - The program we trained on at the summer academy! It is a combination of Google Earth and Excel.
Google Earth: Originally developed by Keyhole, this program presents the world in 3D. Uses projects with the extension .kml or .kmz to display data, images, and other dynamic content. It requires an Internet connection.
ArcGIS Explorer: It is a combination of Google Earth and Powerpoint. It does most of the things that Google Earth does with the added bonus of doing it in a presentation. It requires an Internet connection.
ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE): This is a bare bones GIS program that allows for the display and analysis of GIS data. This program will run on PC and MAC computers. It does not require an Internet connection.
DNRGarmin: This program allows for the transfer of GPS data from Garmin GPS units into a number of formats. It will create Shapefiles and kml files.
Garmin Trip and Waypoint Manager: This is the CD that comes with our Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS units. It needs to be installed on each computer that you want to upload GPS data to, even if you are not using this program.
ArcPad: GIS mapping integrated with GPS.
GIS Data
US Census Data: Otherwise known as TIGER data, this is data that can be drilled down to the county level
Maryland State Data Center- A wide variety of statistical, parcel, and zoning data
Maryland State Highway Administration- Roads, police, fire, hospitals, streams, and no waiting in line.
Maryland DNR GIS data- Natural resource data for the state, wetlands, forest, shorelines, etc.
Frederick County GIS: Data from Frederick County Government
Geospatial One Stop: US Maps and Data
Google Earth
Using Google Earth: Everything you wanted to know about Google Earth
Google Earth for Educators: An entire site dedicated to educators using Google Earth.
Google Earth KML: A blog with projects submitted.
Lessons and Tips
ArcLessons: Free lesson plans searchable by software, topic, and understanding of GIS
ArcGIS Tips -
ESRI GIS Education Community: A site for anyone using GIS in the classroom.
DNRGarmin Training Video: A short video on TeacherTube to demonstrate DNRGarmin.
DNR Garmin User's Guide from Eric Cromwell -
Google Earth Tip Sheet from NSTA (Thanks Lynn) -
How to use Garmin Trip and Waypoint Manager: eHow's instructions on importing GPS data.
Why use GIS?